Acoustic augmentation of musical instruments with an end-pin

Abstract

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for actuating stringed instruments. In embodiments, the compositions and methods are non-invasive and are used with stringed instruments that contain end-pins.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit, comprising:
 an actuator; and   at least one thumbscrew assembly, at least one clip, or at least one clamp,   wherein the at least one thumbscrew assembly, the at least one clip, or the at least one clamp is configured to secure the actuator against an end-pin of an upright musical instrument.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising the end-pin of the upright musical instrument. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a grommet configured to be inserted into a hollow center of the actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the grommet comprises a lip that protrudes from the bottom of the grommet that is configured to cover a portion of the actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one thumbscrew assembly comprises at least two thumbscrew assemblies. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the at least clamp comprises at least one strut-mount clamp. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one thumbscrew assembly comprises a hollow portion configured to allow insertion of the end-pin into the at least one thumbscrew assembly. 
     
     
         8 . A composition, comprising:
 an end-pin of an upright musical instrument; and   an actuator,   wherein the end-pin is in contact with the actuator.   
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one thumbscrew assembly, at least one clip, or at least one clamp that secures the end-pin to the actuator. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one clamp comprises at least one strut-mount clamp. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the end-pin is in contact with the actuator via threading the end-pin through a hollow center of the actuator. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , further comprising a grommet inserted into the hollow center of the actuator, wherein the grommet is configured to prevent vibration or rattling of the end-pin against the actuator. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the grommet comprises a lip that protrudes from a lower portion of the grommet that covers a portion of the actuator. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the actuator is contained within an enclosed structure, and wherein the at least one thumbscrew assembly, the at least one clip, or the at least one clamp secures the end-pin to the actuator via securing the enclosed structure to the end-pin. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the end-pin is permanently affixed to the actuator. 
     
     
         16 . A method of actuating an upright musical instrument, comprising connecting an end-pin of the upright musical instrument to an actuator. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the end-pin is connected to the actuator using a thumbscrew assembly, a clip, or a clamp. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein connecting the end-pin to the actuator results in permanently affixing the actuator to the end-pin. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising a thumbscrew assembly, wherein the thumbscrew assembly comprises a hollow portion, wherein the end-pin is connected to the thumbscrew assembly through insertion of the end-pin into the hollow portion of the thumbscrew assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the clamp comprises a strut-mount clamp.